Nationals Rumors

Heyman On Lee, Lackey, Mets, Nats

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | October 29, 2009 at 1:51pm CDT

Cliff Lee out-pitched C.C. Sabathia last night, there's no question about that. Now, as Jon Heyman of SI.com points out, Lee's value is at an all-time high. The Phillies figure to try to lock Lee up this offseason, but he may cost $100MM or more. After two straight World Series appearances, however, Heyman says the Phillies have the "loot" to reach an agreement with their ace.

Agent Darek Braunecker, can make the argument that Lee has out-pitched Sabathia for the last two years, not just in Game 1. (FanGraphs happens to value Lee's 2008-09 performance a little higher than Sabathia's). But Lee is older than Sabathia and the Phillies have a $9MM option for Lee's services next year, so he doesn't have the negotiating power he would as a free agent.

When Heyman quizzed a couple of other agents about Lee's prospects, they predicted deals worth between $75-100MM. Here are some other rumors from around the league:

Heyman says it's possible John Lackey will also command $100MM this winter.
Mets ownership plans to hire another top executive, leading some team officials to suggest the higher-ups are preparing to oust GM Omar Minaya - or at least reduce his power.
It's getting harder to imagine that the Nats' new manager will be anyone but Jim Riggleman, who took over after the team fired Manny Acta last summer.

Odds & Ends: Kikuchi, Astros, Smoltz, Hermida

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | October 29, 2009 at 9:31am CDT

Some links to read for Thursday morning…

The AP reports (via the Miami Herald) that the Seibu Lions won the rights to negotiate with top Japanese amateur Yusei Kikuchi.
Another top young pitcher, Stephen Strasburg, hit 100 mph repeatedly in his third AFL start, according to ESPN.com's Jason Grey.
Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle says fans and media members need to hold Astros owner Drayton McLane accountable, and says it wasn't GM Ed Wade's fault that managerial candidate Manny Acta signed with the Indians.
Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch hears that the Cardinals still have interest in bringing John Smoltz back next year, perhaps as the team's fourth starter. The club seems likely to find a fifth starter within the organization.
The Pirates and Reds will swap A ball affiliates next year, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
Padres GM Jed Hoyer offered contracts to all of the organization's scouts and player development personnel, according to Bill Center of the San Diego Union-Tribune.
R.J. Anderson of FanGraphs expects Tim Hudson to be worth the extension he's expected to sign.
MLB.com's Joe Frisaro lists the Blue Jays, Mariners, Rays and Mets as possible destinations for Jeremy Hermida. The Marlins may trade the outfielder, who should hit free agency after 2011.

Odds & Ends: Chapman, Padres, Orioles, Coste

By Mike Axisa | October 27, 2009 at 7:26pm CDT

Here's a few links to help you through another baseball-less night…

Kiley McDaniel of Baseball Prospectus tweets that Aroldis Chapman will throw a bullpen at Fenway tomorrow.
ESPN's Keith Law says that firing VP of scouting and player development Grady Fuson was a good move by new GM Jed Hoyer and the Padres. He notes that San Diego's drafts have been among the worst in the game over the last few years, although they did change course last year.
Peter Schmuck of The Baltimore Sun says the Orioles need a power hitter at one of the corner infield spots, and mentions that players like Adrian Beltre, Troy Glaus, or Carlos Delgado could represent a decent stop gap.
Chris Coste became a free agent after being outrighted by the Astros, says Brian McTaggart of MLB.com.
Phil Wood of MASNsports.com has news on a few front office hirings by the Nationals.
The Phillies added Brett Myers to their World Series roster according to David Murphy of The Philadephia Daily News. The 29-year-old righthander could earn himself a few extra bucks in free agency with a big series.

Odds & Ends: Astros, Giants, Nationals

By Zachary Links | October 25, 2009 at 8:00pm CDT

Let's take a look at some early evening links:

After striking out on Manny Acta, the Astros must continue their search for a skipper. MLB.com's Brian McTaggart reports that the search is now focused on three candidates: former Astros manager Phil Garner, BoSox bench coach Brad Mills and interim manager Dave Clark. One source told Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports that Mills would get the nod and that it would be a "surprise" if Garner were brought back. Another source said that Clark remains a possibility. Houston would like to reach a decision before the start of the World Series (Wednesday), but may even expand their search beyond these three choices.
Matt Holliday and Jason Bay are both too pricey for the Giants, writes Bruce Jenkins of the San Francisco Chronicle. Holliday is represented by Scott Boras, who compared him to Mark Teixeira in hopes of fetching a deal similar to the eight-year, $180MM contract the first baseman received from the Yankees.
Johnny Holliday of MASN Sports writes that the Nationals will announce the identity of their manager for 2010 "any day now." Interim skipper Jim Riggleman remains a candidate.
Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan is likely to return in 2010, reports Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. Duncan has said that his decision will be dependent on the return of Tony La Russa, who has reportedly agreed to an extension.

Odds & Ends: Chapman, Indians, Mulder, Royals

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | October 23, 2009 at 10:52am CDT

Odds & Ends: Mariners, Beltre, Ramirez

By Mark Polishuk | October 21, 2009 at 7:44pm CDT

Happy birthday to Hall-of-Famer Whitey Ford and (future Hall-of-Famer?) Zack Greinke. MLBTR's gift to these two star pitchers is this batch of news items…

John Hickey of the Seattle PostGlobe outlines some of the holes that the Mariners have to fill for 2010, and speculates that free agent and Los Angeles resident Adrian Beltre might be targeted by the Angels and Dodgers.
Peter Gammons thinks that if it weren't for Manny Ramirez's player option, the Dodgers would part ways with the controversial left fielder, reports WEEI's Alex Speier.
MLB.com's Steve Gilbert writes that if Conor Jackson can stay healthy in the Dominican Winter League, he can avoid being non-tendered by the Diamondbacks.
Joe Mauer's big brother Jake has been named the new manager of the Twins' Class A-Advanced affiliate in Fort Myers, reports Benjamin Hill of MLB.com.
Nationals principal owner Mark Lerner discussed Jim Riggleman's chances of being named manager, some recent front office hires and his club's overall plans for the future in a chat with Bill Ladson of MLB.com.

Nationals Notes: Storen, Dunn, Desmond

By Mark Polishuk | October 21, 2009 at 5:20pm CDT

MLB.com's Bill Ladson answered a few questions from fans about the D.C. nine today and here are a few of the more relevant details….

Ladson "could see" Drew Storen making the Nationals as the team's set-up man, in just the right-hander's second year of pro ball. Storen had a 1.95 ERA and an eye-popping 11.9 K/9 in 28 appearances for Washington's Single-A, Single-A advanced and Double-A teams last season after being taken 10th overall in the 2009 June Entry Draft.
Whatever Washington's rebuilding plans entail, they won't involve dealing Adam Dunn.
Ian Desmond and Justin Maxwell have yet to entirely prove themselves to Nationals management and "must have a great Spring Training" for either of them to even make the Opening Day roster, let alone get playing time.
Ladson thinks the Nats might at least inquire about Pedro Martinez if the future Hall-of-Famer becomes available in the off-season, but the price tag will likely be too high for Washington's taste.
Mark DeRosa's versatility is what would attract the Nationals most if they made a play for the veteran free agent.

Odds & Ends: Yankees, Cardinals, Astros

By Howard Megdal | October 21, 2009 at 4:51pm CDT

Here are some links to take you through the end of your workday, instead of, you know, working.

The Yankees aren't satisfied to simply win the 2009 World Series. They are concurrently planning to take 2010 as well, with Jon Heyman reporting that they are atop Matt Holliday's preferred list of teams, and Lohud.com's Chad Jennings writing that the Yankees should be meeting with Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman soon, though GM Brian Cashman wouldn't confirm it.
Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch writes that Jason LaRue would be a good fit for the Cardinals in 2010, and breaks down the other catching candidates as well.
Manny Acta had his second interview for the Astros' managing job, while Bobby Valentine and Bob Melvin are candidates to take Acta's former position as skipper for Washington.
Tim Wakefield had successful back surgery for the Red Sox, who have a number of 2010 contract options to consider, include Wakefield's. Alex Speier of WEEI.com runs it down nicely.
The Rays hired Derek Shelton as their new hitting coach. Shelton had been the hitting coach for Cleveland.
Former Mets' first base coach Tom Nieto is the new manager for Rochester, Minnesota's Triple-A farm team, among other minor-league hires.

Heyman On Jaramillo, Holliday, Mets, Nationals

By Luke Adams 2 | October 20, 2009 at 11:24pm CDT

11:24pm: Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago.com says the Cubs will announce the signing of Jaramillo tomorrow. The Cubs paid up for the hitting coach's services – three years, $2.42MM.

6:01pm: SI.com's Jon Heyman discusses a variety of hot stove topics in his latest column and in an appearance on WFAN, which Matthew Cerrone of MetsBlog summarizes. Here are a few of Heyman's main points….

The Mets will be the main player for Matt Holliday, with the Giants and Braves in the mix as well. In addition to the Cardinals, the Red Sox and Yankees are also contenders for the star outfielder.
Rather than make a run at Roy Halladay, the Mets may be more inclined to sign free agents and keep their top prospects.
Intermin manager Jim Riggleman is the favorite to manage the Washington Nationals in 2010.
The Mariners' management is glad that Kenji Johjima opted out of his deal, since they "never thought much of him as a player." That's Heyman's quote, not anything from the team.
Rudy Jaramillo, who seems likely to become the Cubs' hitting coach, has had success working with Alfonso Soriano in the past. Heyman hears that Jaramillo will sign a multi-year deal with Chicago that will make him the highest-paid hitting coach in the league.

Nationals Notes: Manager, Desmond, Maxwell

By Luke Adams 2 | October 20, 2009 at 8:13pm CDT

Byron Kerr of MASN.com spoke to Washington Nationals interim manager Jim Riggleman, who is the favorite to manage the team in 2010, according to Jon Heyman. A few highlights of the conversation….

Riggleman indicates that the Nationals' managerial hunt is working around the playoff schedule, and that it will probably be after the World Series before a manager is named.
He suggests the Nationals could use another veteran starter.
He says that although they don't necessarily need to sign a big-name closer, Washington would benefit from some bullpen help.
Cristian Guzman's offseason progress is important. If he's not able to throw, the Nationals could look to add infielders, and it could mean more playing time for Ian Desmond.
Riggleman feels Justin Maxwell's spot on the 25-man roster is his to lose, and that Maxwell could start against lefties.

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